Kevin Franke Seeks Guardianship of Ruby Franke’s 16-Year-Old Daughter After Her 60- Year Sentence
Kevin Franke Seeks Guardianship of Ruby Franke’s 16-Year-Old Daughter After Her 60- Year Sentence
Ruby Franke’s estranged husband, Kevin Franke, has filed for a guardianship over the ex-couple’s 16-year-old daughter.
Court documents obtained by Page Six revealed that Kevin filed the request on February 9, less than two weeks ahead of Ruby’s sentencing date.
Kevin, 45, has been pursuing custody of his four minor children ever since his ex was arrested in August 2023 for aggravated child abuse.
Ruby and Kevin share Abby, Julie, 15, Russell, 12, and Eve, 10, as well as two adult children, Shari, 20, and Chad, 19.
The children were placed under the care of Utah’s Department of Child and Family Services after police arrested and jailed the disgraced “8 Passengers” host and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt. Kevin filed divorce papers and requested custody after his wife’s arrest.
His case, which was later sealed, is ongoing.
Kevin’s lawyer, Randy S. Kester, told Page Six at the time that his client’s “urgent focus is simply to keep his children together under his fatherly care.”
Kester later told the “Today” show that Kevin denied any involvement in the abuse and hoped to rebuild his relationships with the children.
“[Kevin] is making an effort to rebuild and bridge these relationships rather than sling mud and point fingers,” the attorney stated. “He is focused on doing what is best for his kids at this point, even if that means undergoing some introspection.”
Kevin is also asking the court to find Hildebrandt financially responsible for his children’s ongoing medical expenses, as she caused “aggravated psychological and emotional injuries.”
His motion stated — “It is clear and admitted that the children suffered immediate and continuing irreparable harm as a result of the crimes perpetrated upon them by [Hildebrandt].”
Kevin asked a judge to prevent the liquidation or transfer of Hildebrandt’s assets, so the money could be put toward the siblings’ recoveries. A judge later ruled that Hildebrandt must set aside $100k for the kids after the completed sale of her home, which was listed for $5.1 million.
Ruby, 42, and Hildebrandt, 54, were sentenced to four counts of 1 to 15 years, served consecutively, per their plea deal agreement. Ruby will serve a maximum of 30 years, in compliance with Utah law.
The pair’s exact time behind bars will be determined by the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole. Ruby, who confessed to starving her children in her plea, and Hildebrandt may appeal the decision within 30 days.
“I am humbled and willing to serve a prison sentence for as long as I need,” Ruby, who was visibly distraught, told the judge. “I am committed to unlearning my toxic behavior.”
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